It feels very odd that I’ve been working so much this Summer. Somehow the season of camping and road trips has transformed into non-stop grind time this year. On the bright side, I’m listening to the masters of my new full-length album that will be dropping in Fall and I’ve got 2 other EP’s I’m finishing up production on as well. In order to stay sane, I’m regularly embarking on little mental vacations with help from great songs like these. Staying inspired is the KEY, and there’s no shortage of inspiration information if you do a bit of digging.

SBTRKT :       Wildfire (ft. Little Dragon)
My favorite cut from this new album which has helped launch me into space on repeated listens

Mokhov :       Midnight Love
This moody late night glitch hop is hitting the spot for me. Get more free tunes from this guy right here

Crowdpleaser :       Nenekri (Mickey Moonlight Remix)
check out the whole release and some more music by Crowdpleaser

Ta-ku :       Hey Kids
This synth and drum combo is summer camp for my eardrums. Minus the bunk beds & dirty communal showers

Hypno :       Over The Top
Loving this funky digi-tropical deep house. The track above as well as this one are from Gilles Peterson’s excellent Brownswood Electric comps

Nomo & Shawn Lee :       Upside Down
When I’m cruising on my bike with headphones blasting this, might as well be on a Ducati on the Amalfi coast. Check the great collection this song came from.

We done did it! The Bro’s (myself & Murphy’s Law) have joined forces for our first tag-team weekly jump off. While we’ve dj’ed plenty of parties together over the years, it’s been a long time coming for us to actually be living in the same city and doing our thing together on a regular basis. Bar Lubitsch is a pretty ideal location- big dancefloor, outdoor patio, reasonable drink prices, Soviet themed- what more do you want? Expect the unexpected- eclectic selections to move your mid-sections. Hope to see all you Angelenos in attendance. Today I present you with a musical offering in the theme of BRO-dom to help get you in the dancing mood.

War :       Me & Baby Brother

Cymande :       Brothers On The Slide (Ruffy Tuffy Mix)

Willie Hutch :       Brother Gonna Work It Our (7 Samurai Edit)

Sambasonic :       Take It Easy My Brother Charles

De La Soul :       Big Brother Beat ft. Mos Def

Little Brother :       The Get Up

The Heath Brothers :       Smilin' Billy Suite Part II

This Summer we’re throwing parties like it’s our job! Oh wait, it IS our job. And we do it well. Tonite we’ll be celebrating once again for the release of the new Capt. Planet Ningané EP. This time it’s a bit more of a dirty dive-y dance party, rather than a classy soiree. Special guest, and long time super-hero of mine, O-Dub (aka Oliver Wang – man of many academic and musical projects that make record nerds like me drool) will be dropping in for a set. O-Dub also was gracious enough to feature an interview with me on his new podcast series Sidebar. If you’re interested in hearing me talk about the difference between the NY & LA club scene, the beauty of stereo panning on old records, and my upcoming full-length album on Bastard Jazz, then it’s definitely worth a listen. Since I put up some old classics last week, I’m focusing on a handful of new joints that still fit the international style requirements and get the dancefloor loose. The weekly NOMERICA party has been my first real home-base here in LA. If you like the crazy, mind-altering, global beats that we post here, then this party is for you.

Ocote Soul Sounds :       Primavera another gem from this highly recommended album

Los Chicharrons :       Bamako
this album dropped outta nowhere and I’m still flabbergasted. I don’t know where this band came from, but I want more.

Schlachthofbronx :       Chambacu (Smutlee Remix)
Cumbia airhorn dancefloor banger from this EP on Mad Decent

Bauchamp :       Calypso ft. Tsunami
One of the random mp3’s I got in my inbox and actually loved! Thank you Bauchamp (next time 320 mp3 please!)

Starvoz :       Opa Cupa (Ram Ram Remix)
Balkan heat from this EP on Blue Gypsy. I got hip to this cut from one of DJ Badre’s excellent mixes.

Owiny Sigoma Band :       Doyoi Nyajo Nam (Quantic Dub)
damn Quantic, minimal electro afrobeat?!? Is there anything you can’t do? Check the EP

Jali Bakary Konteh :       Combination (Hatnhoodie Remix)
came out a lil while back on Akwaaba, but it stays in rotation always sounding fresssssh. Peep the album.

It’s my country’s B-day, the neighbors are going crazy trying to see how many car alarms they can set off with firecrackers, and I’m heading to seek refuge from the 85 degree heat in a friend’s pool. Tonight also happens to be the first release party for MY NEW EP (there’s another one later this week- any excuse to party is good right?). So if you feel up to dancing after the fireworks, head over to the super classy Bar Marmont in West Hollywood. For the occaision, I’ve been going back to some of my oldest mixes, reminding myself of songs I used to play all the time. Here’s a nice handful of those forgotten classics to keep you moving while the BBQ sauce marinades.

And of course, if you’re a fan of the gumbo funk, then go get yourself a beautiful vinyl copy (I suppose digital is acceptable too) of the latest from Captain Planet: The Ningané EP

Antonio Carlos & Jocafi :       Kabaluere

Third World :       Irie Ites

Kaballa :       Ashewo Ara

Shina Williams & his African Percussionists :       Agboju Logun

Sonny Okosuns :       Dance Of The Elephants

Kongas :       Jungle

Vijaya Anand :       Aatavu Chanda (Dancing Is Beautiful)

Dick Khoza :       Chapita

Remember the song by Orquesta ft. my friend Zuzuka Poderosa that I posted a few weeks back? Well I knocked out a quick remix to make it a bit more playable when I dj. I’m usually not one to jump on bandwagons, but I figured I should at least try my take on this new Moombahton craze. There’s a lot of “moombah” garbage out there, but there’s also some really hot tracks & producers rising to the top. The lyrics in the song are about a broken hearted girl who flees to live with a Makonde tribe in Mozambique; the sample I start off the track with comes from the same place. If you’re a fan of baile funk and bass music, this one’s for you.

  Dona Sandra (Chuck Wild Remix) by ChuckWild

It’s the return of CAPTAIN PLANET! My oldest alter-ego is back with another globe-trotting, beat-heavy EP on Brooklyn’s Bastard Jazz Records. You’ll have to wait to hear the rest of the EP, which features Congolese crooner Fredy Massamba & an absolute killer remix by the Whiskey Barons, but for now we’re making one song available as a free download. This one’s got pounding percussion and some hard-hitting salsa horns that should fit perfectly in any summer dance party playlists. Check out the awesome feature over at PopMatters.com then download this bad boy and  turn it up! Later this Summer will see the release of a full-length Capt. Planet album… FINALLY! Viva la Gumbo Funk.

Dame Agua by DJ Captain Planet

ALTERNATE DOWNLOAD LINK (since I maxed out at 100): DAME AGUA